Ace of the Stark County staff

Friday

May 3, 2013 at 7:58 PMMay 3, 2013 at 8:00 PM

Liz Hippen is Star Courier's Athlete of the Week

Mike Landis

Since she didn’t have to share, Stark County softball pitcher Liz Hippen knew she had to prepare.Last season Hippen and Alex Nusz teamed to lead the Lady Rebels to 21 wins and into the title game of the Class 1A Annawan-Wethersfield Regional. With Nusz graduating, the pitching duties fell solely to Hippen in her junior season. And that’s been just fine with her.“It’s actually more of a relief for me. I feel like I’m in control and I can control the game how I want it to go every night,” said Hippen. “It hasn’t really been that big of a deal for me.”The numbers Hippen has put up this season are a big deal. She has all but one of Stark County’s wins in 2013, going 14-4 with 182 strikeouts in 124 innings, and boasts an ERA of 1.90. Last week alone she notched five wins — including a 1-hitter against Galva-Williamsfield, 2-hitter against Peoria Christian, throwing all 14 innings in a win over Princeville and winning both ends of a doubleheader against West Prairie. She recorded 59 strikeouts in the five wins and has guided the Lady Rebels to a 15-5 record and 11-3 mark in the Lincoln Trail Conference, second only to unbeaten West Central.“She knew coming into this season, with Alex being gone, she had to step her game up,” said Liz’s dad and Stark County softball coach Jarrod Hippen. “It started back in her preparation in January when she started throwing a little bit more than she normally would. She got herself mentally and physically ready this year.”“It’s a lot of work pitching every game and all the practices, but it’s totally worth it from my perspective,” Liz said. “I pitch almost every day and play every chance I get during the winter and the fall. It’s constantly all year-round for me.”She’s gained ASA pitching experience as a member of the Milan Aces, which has helped her develop pitches and spot her stuff. A big key to her emergence is the effectiveness of her changeup.“My changeup is my biggest pitch. I need it,” said Hippen.She also credits her team’s defense and its ability to put runs on the board for her stellar season.“I’m not one of those pitchers that can just strike out everyone,” said Hippen. “I have to rely on my defense to back me up.”Hippen is more than capable of helping herself at the plate. She’s knocked in 15 runs and is batting.419.And then there’s that relationship with her coach/dad.“He knows pretty much all about me. I mean he’s my dad, it’s frustrating,” she said with a laugh, “but I really wouldn’t have anyone else because he knows the most about me.”“We enjoy it. I’ve coached her since third grade basketball,” said Coach Hippen. “She really understands what it’s like to be a coach’s kid and understanding the game and situations,” he added. “We’ve had our moments. There’s times when we’ve had some private conversations out on the mound or after a ballgame, but she comes back every day and tries to get better at something. She understands for us to be successful she has to be at the top of her game night in and night out on the mound. She works hard and spends a lot of time at it.”Hippen and the Lady Rebels hope to carry their regular season success into the postseason.“Our goal this year is to win a regional and go beyond that,” she said. “We know where we want to go with this season — possibly win a sectional and go to a super-sectional, maybe even state. We want to go far.”

Star Courier Athlete of the Week Honor RollKegan Jacobson, Annawan-Wethersfield — A bases-clearing triple in game two helped the Titans sweep Mercer County in LTC baseball.Ryne Daum, Stark County — Drove in the game-winning run in the opener and had four hits and four RBI in the nightcap of SC’s DH sweep of West Prairie.Celina VanHyfte, Annawan-Wethersfield — Hit two home runs in a doubleheader split with Mercer County, and homered and drove in three runs in a win over ROWVA.Noah Shannon, Ridgewood — Earned a win and drove in five runs in Ridgewood’s doubleheader sweep of Galva-Williamsfield.Kristian Konneck and Logan Hoffert, Bureau Valley — Posted two wins each — Konneck in the 100 and 200 and Hoffert in the 300 hurdles and triple jump — in leading the Storm to the Elmwood-Brimfield Invitational title.Michael Cook, Annawan-Wethersfield — Had a hand in three A-W wins at the Moss Relays.Freya Block, Kewanee — The KHS senior thrower continued her hot season, sweeping the shot put and discus at Sherrard’s Tiger Relays.Cody Phillips, Annawan-Wethersfield — Recorded 14 strikeouts in 3-1 win over ROWVA.